Japanese Yen Futures

Seven currencies account for 80 percent of the Foreign Exchange Futures market and the Japanese yen is one of the largest currencies in terms of international trade trading. As Japan is one of the largest economies in the world, with one of the highest GDP among nations, it is one of the largest exporters, in dollar terms. Japanese yen futures trade in the large size and e-mini sized contracts, based in relation to the value of the world’s other largest currencies.

Markets

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is the Central Bank behind the country’s currency and like most central banks, it is mandated to encourage economic growth and keep inflation at bay. In the past, the BOJ has pursued a policy of very low rates in the hopes of stimulating demand. Japan is also notable for inflation, or rather the near-absence of it; Japan has actually experienced deflation for much of the last decade.

History

The Yen became the official Japanese currency in 1871. Since the Bretton Woods system collapsed and the monetary system switched to floating exchange rates, the value of the Japanese Yen has similarly floated. Due to its floating exchange rate, Japanese yen futures have been considered extremely volatile. The yen is the third-most-traded currency in the world, most likely due to the fact it is so undervalued compared to the U.S. dollar and British pound.

Facts

Japanese yen futures allow traders to assess value against the U.S. dollar (JPY/USD), as well as the opportunity to address risk from currency fluctuations in other foreign trade markets. Currency rates are determined by a base currency quoted in relation to a different currency (JPY/USD, JPY/EUR, JPY/BHP and the like). Major currencies that are traded are floating. Central bank monetary policies can affect the value of currency.

Trading

Japanese yen futures contracts first started trading at Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) in May 1972 as part of the International Monetary Market, a division of the Exchange. Options contracts began trading in 1986.

This material has been prepared by a sales or trading employee or agent of RJO Futures and is, or is in the nature of, a solicitation. This material is not a research report prepared by RJO Futures Research Department. By accepting this communication, you agree that you are an experienced user of the futures markets, capable of making independent trading decisions, and agree that you are not, and will not, rely solely on this communication in making trading decisions.